Charlotte Hornets Travel to South Beach to Take on the Miami Heat

After winning their last two games, the Charlotte Hornets will look to make it three straight as they face off against the Miami Heat.

The Charlotte Hornets (28-35) are set to take on the Miami Heat (30-34) as they are back on the road after a quick one-game homestand. Steve Clifford’s side is coming off of a big win over the Indiana Pacers as they now look to extend their winning streak to three in South Beach. This matchup between divisional rivals becomes even more important because of the close playoff race in the East.

In their last outing, the Heat was able to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-98. They have also won two consecutive games and are 6-4 in their last 10. Miami has been on a tear in the second half of the season as they have made one of the biggest and most surprising turnarounds in NBA history. After starting the season 11-30, they have gone 19-4 since then with a 13-game win streak in the midst of that stretch.

The two sides have already played twice previously this season with Charlotte coming out on top on both occasions. They Hornets were victorious by a combined total of 15 points in those two games so they haven’t blown out the Heat in either outing. The Hornets have not lost to Miami post-Dwyane Wade.

Charlotte Hornets @ Miami Heat

7:30 p.m. EST, Wednesday, March 8th, 2017

AmericanAirlines Arena

Broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast

Injury Report:

CHA:

OUT – Ramon Sessions (left knee surgery), missed last 13 games (2/4 – 3/6)
OUT – Miles Plumlee (right calf strain), missed last seven games (2/15 – 3/6)
OUT – Frank Kaminsky (left AC joint sprain), missed last game (3/4 – 3/6)

MIA:

Chris Bosh – OUT
Josh McRoberts (Left Foot Stress Fracture) – OUT
Justise Winslow (Right Shoulder Surgery) – OUT
Luke Babbitt (Back Spasms) – QUESTIONABLE
James Johnson (Lacerated Right Elbow) – QUESTIONABLE
Tyler Johnson (Sore Left Shoulder) – QUESTIONABLE
Okaro White (Sprained Left Ankle) – PROBABLE

Biggest Story:

Playoff Race

With the year coming closer to an end, the race for the postseason in the Eastern Conference is starting to heat up. Six teams, from the sixth to the eleventh seed, sit within four games of each other. Both the Heat and the Hornets are in the midst of that race as they are each just on the outside looking in on the top eight seeds.

Charlotte’s only a game and a half behind Miami and this game will be vital in the playoff race for both teams. It’s probably going to be a photo finish in the East and if the Hornets can take a 3-0 lead in their season series against the Heat in this one, it could go a long way if they end up have the same record as they would hold the tiebreaker.

Matchup to Watch:

Kemba Walker vs Goran Dragic

These two point guards have each led their respective teams this season. Since January 17th, Dragic’s averaging 22 points per game, 5.5 assists per game and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 45.7% from three. During that stretch, the Heat are 19-4. (Twitter/@NastyHerb)

Next: Post All-Star Game Kemba is on a Mission

Slowing Goran down will be key for the Charlotte Hornets just like slowing down Kemba will be key for Miami. Since the all-star break, Walker’s averaging 27.3 PPG, 5.7 APG and 4.4 RPG while shooting 47.4% from the field and 47.5% from three. This should be a great matchup between two of the hottest point guards in the league.

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